Posts tagged ‘Pistonscast’

Hi everybody!

Its been a while since my first entry and a lot has happened since then. We are now 6 games into the season and our record is 4-2. We lost a tough game last night when the center on the other team, Traiskirchen Lions hit a 3 point shot at the buzzer. We were up 2 points and missed a shot and they pushed the ball down the court and he was trailing all alone and hit the 3 pointer as time expired.

It was a tough road loss but we played good and will learn from it and come back stronger next time. Overall, we have been playing really good so we are just focused on improving everyday and keeping our eyes on the ultimate prize which is winning the championship.

Personally, I am focused on just getting better everyday also. I feel like this is an extra year of preparation for me after college to get to my ultimate goal which is to play at the highest level, the NBA. I think about that every day and keep it on my mind every time I go to the gym so I can push myself to become the best player I can be.

A very interesting situation happened to me off the court also. One day a few of my teammates and I were driving on the autobahn (the highway in the States) and all the lanes were cut off and you had to drive through a back way. There were at least 50 cops back there and they were checking every car that passed through. As we were driving through, they pulled us over and started speaking to us in German. No one in the car spoke German so we were trying our best to communicate with him.

Eventually we had to pull over to the side and he took all my information because I was driving and says that I will have to pay 300 Euros because I didn’t have an Austrian license or a Vignette. A Vignette is a sticker that you must have when you drive on the autobahn. No one informed me of this before this incident.

So we called some people and had to wait about an hour until they came to help us. I ended up having to pay 120 euros for not having the sticker but got out of the rest because the cop was lying about the required Austrian license. The rule is you can be here for about 3 months before you are supposed to get an Austrian license. I knew he was lying because what if a tourist was here? He was basically saying that they wouldn’t be able to drive a car for transportation.

When I told my other teammates the story, they were all laughing and saying this is the first time they have ever heard of someone getting stopped for that. Some of them don’t have it on their cars because they said that the police never check. This whole year is a big learning experience for me so this is just another situation where I am going to learn from.

Other than that everything has been good. They recently opened a hooters and a movie theater here so me and my American teammates had our thanksgiving dinner at Hooters!!!! The theater only shows movies in English on Tuesday’s but we have yet to go catch a movie. I got to talk to my family on Thanksgiving which was great but also put back in my mind how much I miss everyone and wish I was there to laugh and joke with everyone. I hope everyone had a great holiday and I will get back to you soon!

-Marcus Stout

www.pistonscast.com

We Talkin Bout A New Show!

“Its easy to talk about, its easy to sum it up when you just talk about a new show.

We sittin’ in here, I’m supposed to be a host of Pistonscast, and we in here talkin’ about a new show.

I mean listen, we talkin bout a new show.

Not the other 71 shows, not the other 71 shows, not the other 71 shows. We talkin bout a new show. Not the other 71 shows, not the, not the, not the other 71 shows that we go out there and die for, and host every show like its our last.

Not the other 71 shows. We talkin’ bout a new show, man. I mean how silly is that? We talkin’ bout a new show.

I know I’m supposed to have a new show out, I know I’m supposed to lead by example.

I know that, and I’m not shovin’ it aside, you know, like it don’t mean anything. I know its important, I do. I honestly do. But we talkin’ bout a new show, man.

What are we talkin’ bout? A New Show? We talkin’ bout a new show man. We talk… We talkin’ bout a new show. We talkin’ bout a new show. We ain’t talkin’ bout all the other 71 shows, we talkin’ bout a new show, man.

When you get on your computer, and you listen to our show, you hear a great show, don’t you? You hear us giving everything we got, right?

But we talkin’ bout a new show right now. We talkin’ bout a new show. (Richard laughs) Man look, I hear you, its funny to me too. I mean, its strange, its strange to me too. But we talkin’ bout a new show man. We not even talkin’ bout all the other 71 shows, the actual show, when it matters. We talkin’ bout a new show.”

-John W. Davis

www.pistonscast.com

Hello everyone. My name is Marcus Stout and I am a graduate of Detroit Renaissance High School and Fordham University in the Bronx, New York. I will be blogging about my experiences as a professional basketball player in Europe.

I played summer league with the Detroit Pistons and I am currently playing in Oberwart, Austria for the Oberwart Gunners.  This is my first year out of school and my first time ever being out of the country.  I have been here for about a month now and so far it has been a good experience.

Before I left I had to get everything together and I was running around to different stores and getting things that people told me I would need. I bought things such as a slingbox which allows me to watch the television at home on my computer while I am hers so I can keep up with everything thats going on. I bought a new computer, bulks of toiletries, and some of my favorite foods.  My father accompanied me to Best Buy to get a new computer and while I’m trying to decide which computer I wants he says, I think you should get the most expensive one!!!  I started laughing and thats when it really hit me that I am entering another phase of life because this time I wasn’t spending his money but I was spending my own for the first time.  The day before I left I stayed up all night packing because I wanted to sleep on the flight.

The overall trip took about 18 hours.  I flew to Chicago O’hare airport and had a six hour layover.  Then flew to Warsaw, Poland and finally landed in Vienna, Austria. The flight wasnt that bad because I am used to flying and I was asleep the whole time. Really the only negative was the food because I did not know what it was so I just ate the bread and left the rest of the meal alone.

One of the main reasons I choose to play in Austria this year is because one of my childhood friends, Jae Youngblood also plays here. He told me that it was a good opportunity and I knew that it would help me adjust alot better with him being here for 2 years already.  All the worries that I had before I came over here have not been an issue thus far.  I live in a house with Jae and have my own  car. I took me about a week to learn how to drive stick but I got it down now for the most part.  The food that I have eaten since I been here has been good. The restaurants that I have gone too have served mostly American food. There is a McDonald’s right down the street which didn’t suprise me because there is a McDonald’s on every corner in the States.

So far everything has been a good experience. I don’t want to write too much for the first entry because I have alot to talk about but I will get back to you soon with alot of stories to tell.

P.S- Wanted to give a shoutout to my mom, dad, sister and my girlfriend. I miss you all. I also added some pics of my house and car.

-Marcus Stout

www.pistonscast.com

What’s Going on World? 

John W. Davis here.  It’s a new year so it’s time to take it to another level Pistons fans.  It’s Live Blog time!  OH BABY!!! THAT’S MY GODSON!

Click Here

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The live blog was alot of fun.  The Pistons won a scoring fest, 117 to 109.  Player of the game had to be Walter Herrmann who had 16 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in only 23 minutes.  Shoutout to the Message Board Messiah, TADOne, Darian, and Mr. Senior aka Ryan.

Check out the live blog chat recap here:

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.pistonscast.com

What’s Going on World?

John W. Davis here.  Let me update you on the Pistonscast Haiku Contest.  We have had eight entries so far.  

Check out the comments section here http://www.pistonscast.com/blog/2008/08/08/pistonscast-haiku-contest/#comments to read all the great Piston inspired Haikus.

Whose Haiku is best?  Deven Khrucell, John W. Davis and a special guest host from SLAM MAGAZINE will judge our top entries and determine the winner on an upcoming episode.

As always, drop a comment or shoot us an email at hosts@pistonscast.com.

Peace,

John W. Davis

Whats up World?

John W. Davis here. Check out our audio interview with Marcus Stout Episode 61.

Marcus is a Detroit native who played collegiately at Fordham University. Marcus played his high school ball at Detroit Renaissance where he was a state champion. He played with the likes of Malik Hairston (San Antonio Spurs), Joe Crawford (Los Angeles Lakers), and Tajuan Porter (University of Oregon star point guard). Basically his team was loaded and he was over looked. After getting an invite by Joe Dumars to a pre-draft workout, he was invited to play for his hometown team in the Summer League.

Marcus talks about his summer league experiences, what’s next for him and what he needs to show NBA personnel to make it to the NBA. (Spoiler: The Pistons’ front office see him as a point guard.) Marcus also stuck around after his interview to host the rest of the show.

Our thanks goes to Marcus Stout and we wish him the best in the future. He is welcomed back on Pistonscast anytime!

Off the Cuff Audio Chat with Marcus Stout

http://www.pistonscast.com/podcasts/pistonscast061.mp3

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.pistonscast.com

Walter Sharpe interviewed on Pistonscast.com

Posted by Dave Dial July 29, 2008 17:01PM

Mystery Guest Revealed!  Episode 60

When we recently spoke to Walter Sharpe he said his mindset would separate him from all the other 2008 Draft Picks. All 59 other picks. He feels that his self confidence and desire will make him a very valuable Detroit Piston. We caught up with Walter Sharpe who was out to dinner at home in Alabama on his way home. (That should speak to you about his character.)

Off the Cuff Audio Chat with Walter Sharpe

http://www.pistonscast.com/podcasts/pistonscast060.mp3

Interview Recap

Pistonscast: Thanks for coming on to the show. When you were drafted by the Detroit Pistons, Joe Dumars, you knew he was going to pick you the whole time…

Walter Sharpe: I had an idea but you never know, with things like Darrell Arthur falling in the draft you never can be too sure.

Pistonscast: How did you feel when you saw guys like DeAndre Jordan, Chris Douglas-Roberts and Bill Walker go after you?

Walter Sharpe: It wasn’t amazing to me, but with nobody really knowing me, it made it a big thing, but I never felt like any of those guys were head and shoulders above me or anything like that. You know I go into every workout just like I don’t know anybody.

Pistonscast: You definitely carry yourself in a poised manner. A lot of people are comparing you to Tayshaun Prince. What do you think about that?

Walter Sharpe: Aww man Tayshaun is a great player man. So being compared to a player like that how can you complain.

Pistonscast: Are their any players in the league now or in the past that you would pattern your game after?

Walter Sharpe: That’s tough man, because it makes it so different because I’m playing the three now, what I used to play the 5 and 4, a three man, a small forward in the game, I like McGrady man.

Pistonscast: Walt, you played inside a lot in the past, in high school, at Mississippi State and at University Alabama Birmingham you played the four and five. Then Joe Dumars and the Pistons are like we need a backup to Tayshaun Prince, What is that transition like?

Walter Sharpe: Its been tough, its not tough like so much as just having the ability to do it, I think I have the offense ability to do it, it’s the transition with the little things like defense, the positioning, moving all the time. Its so much constant movement with the guard spot that it is with playing the 4 and 5. Its more than just shooting the ball and offense doesn’t get you on the court its more defense.

Pistonscast: Walt how would you rank yourself as a defense player, do you consider yourself a defense stopper, do you enjoy playing defense?

Walter Sharpe: Its new to be playing the three, but defense stopper… I wouldn’t quite say im a defense stopper yet…

Pistonscast: Not Yet! But you will be, because the buzz that going around is look at him now and he still doesn’t know how to play the position yet..

Walter Sharpe: Exactly…

Pistonscast: What thoughts when through your mind when you saw guys like DeAndre Jordan not get drafted, and the Pistons selected you at the 32^nd pick?

Walter Sharpe: Well first, what people don’t realize is that those guys are a lot younger than me. I don’t really watch a lot of college basketball, I know Bill Walker and the big name guys but I never really knew them from watching them play. So I never really had the fear or question myself like that. It’s basketball. That’s what I have been doing all my life. I’m looking at players in the NBA who I think I might be able to match up with not really college players.

Pistonscast: Who are you looking at? Are you looking at KG…

Walter Sharpe: Yeah! Yeah! I’m looking at KG and guarding guys like Kobe and T-Mac Im not really concerned with those (college) guys.

Pistonscast: If you can guard KG one night then T-Mac another night and then Kobe the next… They don’t have a digit made up for the amount of money that you are gonna be worth.

Walter Sharpe: Those guys its about containing its not about stopping Kobe, we wont even bring that up right now we’ll wait like two or three years to bring that conservation up…

We not even gonna talk about that man, Kobe and T-Mac man, I’m just saying that’s what I’m looking at as far as those guys should go before me. I looked at the guys in my class, I was in the class with Josh Smith and Dwight and all those guys. I was in the class of ’04 coming out of high school. I really like seeing their games and seeing them play.

Pistonscast: What is like then when you see Josh Smith and Dwight Howard guys you were in the high school class with, already excelling in the NBA?

Walter Sharpe: It’s like I seen them in high school and through out that process and all them was good now, I played with Dwight and all them guys but it makes you think like man, I should be there. It’s almost like motivation to go out and work harder and get there myself.

Our thanks to Walt Sharpe! We will catch him another time on Pistonscast.

Stay tuned for Episode 61 when Marcus Stout a member of the 2008 Detroit Pistons Summer League team will be a special co-host, only on www.pistonscast.com

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.pistonscast.com

What’s up world? John W. Davis here. Anyone who guesses the special guest gets to submit a question to ask him.

I’m not giving any hints either. Well okay. You know that he is a male. I will also tell you that he plays for the Detroit Pistons.

THAT’s IT! I’m not saying anything else other than I am excited. Email us at hosts@pistonscast.com or go to Contact and submit your guess.

I’m giving everyone 2 guesses. Thats it. 1… 2… and then you are out!

-John W. Davis

The Pistons Close the Gap

Does all this mean that the Pistons have closed the gap?  In the regular season the Pistons had an efficiency differential of 8.17.  In the post-season this differential has declined to 5.10.  Yes, the Celtics still boast a better differential even when we compare just the post-season performance of each team.

One should note, though, that the Pistons have faced better competition than Boston.  So one could argue that the Pistons have closed the gap.  Certainly as a Pistons fan I hope this is the case.

Had the Pistons maintained their regular season performance we would not have to discuss strength of competition.  If that were the case the Pistons would have thus far surpassed the Celtics.  Why were the Pistons unable to maintain what we saw in the regular season? One answer, as detailed in The Wages of Wins, is that playoff performance tends to be worse than the regular season (due to improved competition).  One Piston, though, has decline a bit more than we would expect.

Table Three: The Detroit Pistons after the First Two Rounds of the 2008 Playoffs

As Table Three reveals, virtually all of Detroit’s decline can be attributed to Rasheed Wallace.  In the regular season his WP48 [Wins Produced per 48 minutes] was 0.142. In the post-season his mark is only 0.031. 

Wallace is not the only one whose performance has changed.  Chauncey Billups is also offering less while Tayshaun Prince is now leading the team in Wins Produced.  If Wallace and Billups can return to form, and Prince keeps producing, the Pistons might just advance to the NBA Finals.  And if that happens, I think the Pistons might just win their fourth NBA title.  Or to put it another way, I think the winner of the Celtics-Pistons series should be favored over either the Lakers or Spurs.

Let me close by noting that fans of Boston and Detroit should look forward to a great series.  As I noted a few weeks ago, the current edition of each team is the best in each franchise’s history.  In sum, this should be real fun (and even more fun if the Pistons win).

David J. Berri
Associate Professor of Economics
California State University-Bakersfield

www.dberri.wordpress.com